Top 5 Signs Your Child Needs Emergency Pediatric Dental Care
It’s important for parents to know when a child’s dental problem requires immediate attention. Some minor dental issues can be treated during a regular visit to the dentist, but other cases require immediate attention. A quick response can help prevent further damage and save your child from unnecessary pain. Here are 5 signs your child might need urgent dental care.
Severe Toothache
When To Worry:
If your child is complaining of persistent, intense pain, this could be a sign that there’s something more serious going on.
Possible Causes:
Deep Cavities
Dental abscess is an infection
Broken or cracked tooth
What You Should Do:
Use a cold compress on the affected area to relieve swelling and discomfort.
Do not give over-the counter pain medications unless your emergency pediatric dentist has advised you to do so.
Contact your dentist right away to make an appointment.
Why It’s An Emergency
A severe toothache is often an indication of underlying problems, such as trauma or infection. Early intervention can help prevent further complications.
Avulsion (knocked-out tooth)
When To Worry:
An emergency is created when a tooth falls out, especially if the tooth is permanent. The sooner you act, then the greater the chance of saving the tooth.
What You Should Do:
Rinse the tooth with water after you find it, but do not touch the root.
If possible, place the tooth in milk or a saline solution.
Seek emergency dental care immediately. The timing is important; the tooth can be reimplanted within 30 minutes or 1 hour.
Why It’s An Emergency
If treated promptly, a knocked out permanent tooth may be saved. This is important for both its functionality and appearance.
A Broken or chipped tooth
When To Worry:
Even if your child does not feel immediate pain from a broken tooth, it should still be treated as a medical emergency.
What You Should Do:
- Clean and Rinse your Kids mouth with warm water.
- Collect any fragments of teeth you find.
- Use a cold compress on the affected area to reduce swelling.
- Contact your dentist immediately to schedule an urgent appointment.
Why It’s An Emergency
A cracked tooth can expose the nerve and cause infection. A small chip in the enamel can cause further damage.
Swollen Gums or Face
When To Worry:
A swelling of the face or gums, which is often accompanied by tenderness or pain, may indicate a serious infection such as a tooth abscess.
Possible Causes:
Abscessed tooth
Gum infection
Acute trauma to the mouth
What You Should Do:
Reduce swelling by using a cold compress.
For an urgent evaluation, contact your local pediatric dentist near me NYC right away.
Aspirin can cause bleeding in children.
Why It’s An Emergency
A dental infection can spread quickly to other parts of the body and cause more serious health problems. Dental infections can sometimes affect the bloodstream or the airways.
Uncontrolled Bleeding
When To Worry:
A dental emergency is when there’s significant bleeding that does not stop after 15-20 minutes of pressure.
What You Should Do:
Bite down on a gauze or a piece of clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
Apply firm but gentle pressure.
Seek immediate medical attention if bleeding does not stop within 20 minutes or the wound is very severe.
Why It’s An Emergency
Uncontrolled bleeding may be an indication of soft tissue damage, such as to the tongue, gums or lips. To stop bleeding and avoid infection, it’s important to seek professional help.
When you should visit an emergency dentist IMMEDIATELY
When it comes to the dental health of your child, it’s better and safer to be cautious. Quickly review the possible situations in which you need emergency dental care.
A persistent or severe toothache
Broken or knocked out teeth
Sudden swelling in the mouth or face
Blood from the mouth that continues to bleed after applying pressure
